Recording apparatus optical disk and computer-readable recording medium

ABSTRACT

Total management information includes time zone information (TM_ZONE) indicating a time difference between a world standard time (Greenwich Mean Time) and a standard time in a predetermined location, wherein the data management information includes recording time zone information (REC_TM_ZONE) at a time of recoding the data, indicating a time difference between the world standard time (Greenwich Mean Time) and a standard time in a location where the data has been recorded; and data recording time information (REC_TM) indicating a recording time when the data has been recorded, and wherein the reproduction apparatus further includes a unit for specifying a local time in a location where the data recording time has been recorded, while the data is reproduced, in accordance with the data recording time information (REC_TM), the time zone information (TM_ZONE), and the recording time zone information (REC_TM_ZONE) at the data recording time.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.10/843,395, filed May 12, 2004, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 10/843,385, filed May 12, 2004 (now U.S. Pat. No.7,133,596), which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.10/843,378, filed May 12, 2004 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,130,529), which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/843,486, filed May 12, 2004(now U.S. Pat. No. 7,130,530), which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 09/793,526, filed Feb. 27, 2001, which is relatedto U.S. application Ser. No. 09/369,401, filed Aug. 6, 1999. Thisapplication is also related to U.S. application Ser. No. 10/843,370,filed May 12, 2004 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,133,595). This applicationrelates to and claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No.2000-218709, filed on Jul. 14, 2000. The entirety of the contents andsubject matter of all of the above is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a rewritable recording medium, arecorder and a reproducing device, and more particularly to a recordingmedium storing the data such as dynamic images, still pictures or voicesalong with the data recording time information, a recorder and areproducing device for use with the recording medium.

2. Description of the Related Art

A rewritable recording medium of large capacity such as a DVD-RAM orDVD-RW has appeared in the market, and the recorders and the reproducingdevices such as a video recorder/player, an audio recorder/player or acamera, along with the technologies for recording the image or voicedata, have been developed. The dynamic image data may be typically thecoded data in accordance with an MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group)method as defined in the ISO/IEC11172 standards or ISO/IEC13818standards. The still picture data may be typically the intraframe codeddata (one picture) in accordance with the MPEG method or the coded datain accordance with an JPEG method as defined in the ISO/IEC10918-1standards. The voice data may be typically the coded data in accordancewith the MPEG method or an LPCM (Linear Pulse Coding Modulation) method.For example, in the case where the still picture data having a data sizeof about 100 Kbytes is recorded on a DVD-RAM having a capacity of 4.7giga-bytes on one side, the still picture data of as many as about 47000sheets (=4.7×1000000/100) can be recorded.

When such data is recorded on a recording medium, it is commonlypracticed to record the data together with the recording timeinformation to facilitate data reduction or data retrieval at the timeof reproduction. For example, a first recording time management methodin which the recording time information is multiplexedly recorded alongwith the image or voice stream data as disclosed in JP-A-2000-113641specification, and a second recording time management method in whichthe management information for managing the image or voice stream datais prepared separately, and the recording time information iscollectively recorded in that management information, as disclosed inJP-A-2000-134565 specification (U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/369,401) were proposed. The first and second recording timemanagement methods that have some merits and demerits as will bedescribed later may be generally employed in combination.

Supposing that the recording medium or recorder is used in all thecountries of the world, the time zone information indicating thestandard time (or time difference from the reference point of site) ofan area where the data is recorded is commonly recorded on the recordingmedium along with the data or data recording time. In this case, thetime zone information is not appended to each data, but the totalmanagement information (VMGI) for managing all the data on the recordingmedium is generally provided, including one time zone information.

If it is supposed that the recording medium is mailed throughout theworld, or the recorder is used while moving across the frontier, thestandard time which is the reference of the recording time may bechanged. At this time, there is a desire that the local time of the areawhere the data is recorded is left on the recording medium in some way.

Also, there is a desire that the time zone information once recorded ischanged.

In this case, along with the change of the time zone information, it isnecessary that the recording time information is changed (or correctedfor time difference) and recorded again on the recording medium, takinginto consideration the time difference before and after change of thetime zone. With the first recording time management method, it isrequired to read all the recording time information from the stream dataof large data size, correct for time difference and record it again, andthis is unpractical in respect of the processing time. On the otherhand, with the second recording time management method, all therecording time information is managed singly in the managementinformation, whereby the correction for time difference is easy.However, if the recording time information for all the data is carriedin the management information, the management information size becomeslarge, as described in JP-A-2000-134565 specification. Therefore,generally, the recording time information for part of the data iscarried in the management information, and the remaining data is inaccordance with the first recording time management method. Accordingly,with the prior art, it is difficult to effect the change of the timezone and the correction for time difference of the data recording timeinformation in a short time without causing any inconsistency in therecording time information between the management information and thestream data.

Also, once the time zone information which is managed in the totalmanagement information (VMGI) on the recording medium is changed, theuser inconveniently can not know the time (local time) in the area whereindividual data is recorded.

If the time zone is not changed to prevent such inconsistency, the localtime (current time) at the destination of foreign country in travelwhich the user knows and the time displayed by the recorder/reproducingdevice are not consistent owing to a time difference, which is less userfriendly or inconvenient for the user.

It is an object of the present invention to record the relation betweenthe local standard time and the time zone information of a disk on arecording medium in some format of recording, when the user mails therecording medium to the world over or employs a recorder while movingacross the frontier.

It is another object of the invention to provide a recording medium, anda recorder and a reproducing device for use with the recording medium,wherein the recording medium is able to implement a data managementmethod capable of changing the time zone information and correcting thedata recording time information for time difference in a short timewithout causing any inconsistency in the recording time informationbetween the management information and the stream data, or a datamanagement method for reconstructing the local time after changing thetime zone, or a data management method for correcting for timedifference without changing the time zone.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To solve the above-mentioned problem, there is provided a recordingmedium for storing the data comprises the time zone informationindicating the standard time in a certain area, the recording time ofthe data with reference to the standard time in the time zoneinformation, and a difference between the time zone informationindicating the standard time in an area where the data is recorded andthe time zone information on the recording medium.

There is provided a recording medium for recording at least N (N is aninteger greater than or equal to one) pieces of data, the totalmanagement information (VMGI) for managing the N pieces of data and theM (M is an integer from 1 to N both inclusive) pieces of data managementinformation (VOB_GI), wherein the total management information (VMGI)has the time zone information (TM_ZONE) indicating the standard time ina representative area where the data is recorded, and the datamanagement information (VOB_GI) has the data recording time information(REC_TM) indicating the time when the data is recorded and the time zoneauxiliary information (TM_ZONE_SUB).

A recorder for recording on the recording medium the N (N is an integergreater than or equal to one) pieces of data, the total managementinformation (VMGI) for managing the N pieces of data, and the M (M is aninteger from 1 to N both inclusive) pieces of data managementinformation (VOB_GI) comprises means for specifying the time zoneinformation (TM_ZONE) indicating the standard time in a representativearea where the data is recorded and setting it in the total managementinformation (VMGI), means for specifying the data recording timeinformation (REC_TM) indicating the time when the data is recorded andsetting it in the data management information (VOB_GI), and means forspecifying the time zone auxiliary information (TM_ZONE_SUB) and settingit in the data management information (VOB_GI).

A recorder for recording on the recording medium the N (N is an integergreater than or equal to one) pieces of data, the total managementinformation (VMGI) for managing the N pieces of data, and the M (M is aninteger from 1 to N both inclusive) pieces of data managementinformation (VOB_GI) comprises means for changing the value (TM_ZONE_0)of the time zone information (TM_ZONE) already set in the totalmanagement information (VMGI) to a new value (TM_ZONE_1) and resettingit in the total management information (VMGI), means for calculating adifferential value (DELTA_TM_ZONE=TM_ZONE_1−TM_ZONE_0) between thevalues of the time zone information (VMGI) after and before change, andmeans for resetting in the data management information (VOB_GI) thevalue (REC_TM_1) which is the value (REC_TM_0) of the data recordingtime information (REC_TM) already set in the data management information(VOB_GI) plus or minus the differential value (DELTA_TM_ZONE).

A recorder for recording on the recording medium the N (N is an integergreater than or equal to one) pieces of data, the total managementinformation (VMGI) for managing the N pieces of data, and the M (M is aninteger from 1 to N both inclusive) pieces of data managementinformation (VOB_GI) comprises means for changing the value (TM_ZONE_0)of the time zone information (TM_ZONE) already set in the totalmanagement information (VMGI) to a new value (TM_ZONE_1) and resettingit in the total management information (VMGI), means for calculating adifferential value (DELTA_TM_ZONE=TM_ZONE_1−TM_ZONE_0) between thevalues of the time zone information (VMGI) after and before change,means for resetting the value (REC_TM_1) which is the value (REC_TM_0)of the data recording time information (REC_TM) already set in the datamanagement information (VOB_GI) plus or minus the differential value(DELTA_TM_ZONE) in the data management information (VOB_GI), and meansfor resetting the value (TM_ZONE_SUB_l) which is the value(TM_ZONE_SUB_0) of the time zone auxiliary information (TM_ZONE_SUB)already set in the data management information (VOB_GI) plus or minusthe differential value (DELTA_TM_ZONE) in the data managementinformation (VOB_GI).

A recorder for recording on the recording medium the N (N is an integergreater than or equal to one) pieces of data, the total managementinformation (VMGI) for managing the N pieces of data, and the M (M is aninteger from 1 to N both inclusive) pieces of data managementinformation (VOB_GI) comprises means for specifying the current timezone information (CUR_TM_ZONE) indicating the standard time in an areawhere the data is recorded, means for reading the time zone information(TM_ZONE) from the total management information (VMGI) recorded on therecording medium, means for specifying the current time (CUR_TM) whenthe data is recorded, and means for specifying the data recording timeinformation (REC_TM) from the current time (CUR_TM), the current timezone information (CUR_TM_ZONE) and the time zone information (TM_ZONE)and setting it in the data management information (VOB_GI).

A reproducing device for reproducing the data from the recording mediumon which the N (N is an integer greater than or equal to one) pieces ofdata and the M (M is an integer from 1 to N both inclusive) pieces ofdata management information (VOB_GI) are recorded comprises means forreading the data recording time information (REC_TM) from the datamanagement information (VOB_GI) recorded on the recording medium, meansfor reading the time zone auxiliary information (TM_ZONE_SUB) from thedata management information (VOB_GI), means for specifying anddisplaying the correction data recording time information (MOD_REC_TM)from the time zone auxiliary information (TM_ZONE_SUB) and the datarecording time information (REC_TM), means for selecting the datarecorded on the recording medium employing a displayed result, and meansfor reading and reproducing the data recorded on the recording mediumemploying a selected result.

A reproducing device for reproducing the data from the recording mediumon which the N (N is an integer greater than or equal to one) pieces ofdata, the total management information (VMGI) for managing the N piecesof data, and the M (M is an integer from 1 to N both inclusive) piecesof data management information (VOB_GI) are recorded comprises means forreading the time zone information (TM_ZONE) from the total managementinformation (VMGI) recorded on the recording medium, means for readingthe data recording time information (REC_TM) from the data managementinformation (VOB_GI) recorded on the recording medium, means for readingthe time zone auxiliary information (TM_ZONE_SUB) from the datamanagement information (VOB_GI), means for specifying and displaying thecorrection data recording time information (MOD_REC_TM) from the timezone information (TM_ZONE), the time zone auxiliary information(TM_ZONE_SUB) and the data recording time information (REC_TM), meansfor selecting the data recorded on the recording medium employing adisplayed result, and means for reading and reproducing the datarecorded on the recording medium employing a selected result.

A reproducing device for reproducing the data from the recording mediumon which the N (N is an integer greater than or equal to one) pieces ofdata, the total management information (VMGI) for managing the N piecesof data, and the M (M is an integer from 1 to N both inclusive) piecesof data management information (VOB_GI) are recorded comprises means forspecifying the current time zone information (CUR_TM_ZONE) indicatingthe standard time in an area where the data is read and reproduced,means for reading the time zone information (TM_ZONE) from the totalmanagement information (VMGI) recorded on the recording medium, meansfor reading the data recording time information (REC_TM) from the datamanagement information (VOB_GI) recorded on the recording medium, meansfor specifying and displaying the correction data recording timeinformation (MOD_REC_TM) from the current time zone information(CUR_TM_ZONE), the time zone information (TM_ZONE) and the datarecording time information (REC_TM), means for selecting the datarecorded on the recording medium employing a displayed result, and meansfor reading and reproducing the data recorded on the recording mediumemploying a selected result.

According to the invention, when the user mails the recording medium tothe world over, or employs the recorder while moving across thefrontier, the relation between the local standard time and the time zoneinformation stored in the disk can be recorded on the recording mediumin some way.

Also, according to the invention, the change of the time zone and thecorrection for time difference of the data recording time informationcan be made in a short time without causing the inconsistency in therecording time information between the management information and thestream data. Also, the local time can be reproduced after the time zoneis changed. Moreover, the correction for time difference can be madewithout changing the time zone.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for showing an embodiment of a recordingmedium according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for showing an operation of theembodiment according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for showing an operation of theembodiment according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for showing a variation of the recordingmedium according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram for showing an embodiment of a recorderaccording to the invention;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram for showing the embodiment of the recorderaccording to the invention;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram for showing the embodiment of the recorderaccording to the invention;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram for showing the embodiment of the recorderaccording to the invention;

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining one example of the operation of areproducing device according to the invention;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram for showing an embodiment of the reproducingdevice according to the invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram for showing the embodiment of the reproducingdevice according to the invention.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram for showing the embodiment of the reproducingdevice according to the invention;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram for showing an embodiment of arecorder/reproducing device according to the invention;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view for illustrating the embodiment of therecorder/reproducing device according to the invention;

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing one example of a recording method for usewith the invention;

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing one example of the recording method for usewith the invention;

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing one example of the recording method for usewith the invention;

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing one example of the recording method for usewith the invention;

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing one example of a reproducing method for usewith the invention;

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing one example of the reproducing method foruse with the invention; and

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing one example of the reproducing method foruse with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiment of the present invention will be describedbelow with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a recording mediumaccording to the invention. In FIG. 1, the recording medium (1) istypically comprised of a volume structure (2) indicating the logicalstructure of the whole recording medium and a logical volume space (3)which is a data recording space under the management of the volumestructure (2). The logical volume space (3) is an area for recording thedata as a file principally, having a route directory ROOT (4) and asub-directory DIR (5) under the route directory ROOT (4). It is commonthat the file is recorded under the sub-directory DIR (5), or directlyunder the root directory ROOT (4). The recording medium (1) may betypically an optical disk such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), amagneto-optical disk such as an MO, or a magnetic disk such as a HDD(Hard Disc Drive). The volume structure (2), the logical volume space(3), the root directory ROOT (4), the sub-directory DIR (5), and thefile management method can be made using the conventional technique ofthe file system in accordance with the ISO/IEC13346 standards, andtherefore the illustration and explanation are omitted. Hence, variouskinds of specific files and the data structure of the file will bedescribed below.

First of all, the N (N is an integer greater than and equal to one)pieces of data (7) such as dynamic image data, still picture data orvoice data are recorded in one data file (6) collectively. This is acommonly employed method to facilitate the file management. With thismethod, in the case where the data recording time informationDT_REC_TM(8) is recorded at the top of the data (7), like the techniqueas described in JP-A-2000-113641 specification, the effect of theinvention becomes remarkable. For the purpose of being consistentbetween the case where the data recording time information DT_REC_TM(8)is recorded and the case where it is not recorded, a systematicmanagement information file (9) may be employed. Therefore, the datarecording time information DT_REC_TM(8) is not a requisite item to carryout the invention, but may be dealt with optionally. The detailed datastructure of the data recording time information DT_REC_TM(8) will bedescribed later. In the following, the data structure of the managementinformation file (9) which is a feature of the present invention will bemainly described below.

The management information file (9) records the information for managingthe data (7) collectively, and comprises the total managementinformation VMGI (10) and the data management information VOB GI(11).

The total management information VMGI(10) manages collectively the itemscommon to all the N pieces of data, and comprises the time zoneinformation TM_ZONE(12) which is a feature of the invention. The timezone information TM_ZONE (12) indicates the standard time of an areawhere the data is recorded, and may be represented in terms of a timedifference between the standard time of the area and the universal time(Greenwich Mean Time) which is indicated by a positive or negative value(e.g., two byes) in a unit of minute, for example. The total managementinformation VMGI(10) may hold, in addition to the time zone informationTM_ZONE(12), an identifier to indicate a data management method for usewith the management information file (9), the version information, thepointer information to the data management information VOB_GI(11) aswill be described later, and the size information of the managementinformation file (9), but because they are not related directly to thegist of the invention, the illustration and explanation are omitted.

The data management information VOB_GI(11) manages the data (7)individually, and comprises the data recording time informationREC_TM(13) and the time zone auxiliary information TM_ZONE_SUB(14) whichare a feature of the invention. Herein, there are two cases where thedata (7) and the data management information VOB_GI(11) are managed in arelation of one-to-one correspondence, or where one data managementinformation VOB_GI(11) is provided for a data group of plural pieces ofdata (7), like the technique as described in JP-A-2000-134565specification. Hence, the number (M) of data management informationVOB_GI(11) is an integer from one to the number (N) of data (7) bothinclusive. In the same figure, # i (i is an integer) denotes an i-thelement, and is employed similarly in other figures. The data managementinformation VOB_GI(11) may hold, in addition to the data recording timeinformation REC_TM(13) and the time zone auxiliary informationTM_ZONE_SUB(14), the number of data (7) managed by the data managementinformation VOB_GI(11), the pointer information or data size informationto have access to individual data, the data reproduction time lengthinformation, the text information representing a title associated withthe data, and the data attribute information such as an encoding method,the resolution and the sampling frequency when the data (7) is the imageor voice, but because they are not related directly to the gist of theinvention, the illustration and explanation are omitted.

The data recording time information DT_REC TM(8) and REC_TM(13)represents the time when the data management information VOB_GI(11) andthe corresponding data (7) are recorded on the recording medium (1), onthe basis of the standard time indicated by the time zone informationTM_ZONE (12), which can be expressed, for example, in terms of a totalof 40 bits (=5 bytes) including a year (14 bits), a month (4 bits), aday (5 bits), an hour (5 bits), a minute (6 bits), and a second (6bits). In the case where one data management information VOB_GI(11) isprovided for a data group of plural pieces of data (7), like thetechnique as described in JP-A-2000-134565 specification, the first datarecording time information F_REC_TM (e.g., five bytes) and the last datarecording time information L_REC_TM (e.g., five bytes) within the datagroup are stored (e.g., a total of 10 byes) as the data recording timeinformation REC_TM(13).

The time zone auxiliary information TM_ZONE_SUB(14) will be describedbelow with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 2 is an operation diagram wherein the time zone informationREC_TM_ZONE(15) at the time of recording the data is set as the timezone auxiliary information TM_ZONE_SUB(14). When the data (7) isrecorded on the recording medium (1), the time zone informationTM_ZONE(12) set in the total management information VMGI(10) isacquired, and the same value is set in the time zone auxiliaryinformation TM_ZONE_SUB(14) as the time zone information REC_TM_ZONE(15) at the time of recording the data. Thereafter, when the time zoneinformation TM_ZONE(12) within the total management information VMGI(10)is changed, the data recording time information REC_TM(13) in the datamanagement information VOB_GI(11) is only changed, and the time zoneauxiliary information TM_ZONE_SUB(14) and the data recording timeinformation DT_REC_TM(8) in the data file (6) are not changed. Thereby,there is no need of reading all the data file (6) of large size,correcting the data recording time DT_REC_TM(8) for time difference, andrewriting all the data, resulting in the faster processing. Further,since the data recording time information DT_REC_TM(8) to which (thevalue of TM_ZONE(12)−the value of TM_ZONE_SUB(14)) is added must becoincident with the data recording time information REC_TM(13), there isno inconsistency between the information of the data file (6) and theinformation of the management information file (9). After changing thetime zone information TM_ZONE(12), the local standard time at the timeof recording the data is recorded in the time zone auxiliary informationTM_ZONE_SUB(14), whereby the data recording time information REC_TM(8)after correcting for time difference to which (the value ofTM_ZONE_SUB(14)—the value of TM_ZONE(12)) is added can reproduce thelocal time at the time of recording.

FIG. 3 is an operation diagram wherein the time zone differentialinformation TM_ZONE_DIF(16) at the time of recording the data is set asthe time zone auxiliary information TM_ZONE_SUB(14). The time zonedifferential information TM_ZONE_DIF(16) is a differential value (i.e.,the value of REC_TM_ZONE(15)—the value of TM_ZONE(12)) between the timezone information REC_TM_ZONE(1 5) at the time of recording the data andthe time zone information TM_ZONE(12) set in the total managementinformation VMGI(10). Unlike the operation of FIG. 2, when the time zoneinformation TM_ZONE(12) within the total management information VMGI(10)is changed, the data recording time information REC_TM(13) with in thedata management information VOB-GI(11) and the time zone differentialinformation TM_ZONE_DIF(16) are changed simultaneously. Thereby, thereis no need of reading all the data file (6) of large size, correctingthe data recording time DT_REC_TM(8) for time difference and rewritingall the data in the same way as previously described, resulting in thefaster processing. Further, the data recording time informationDT_REC_TM(8) to which the value of TM_ZONE_SUB(14) is added must becoincident with the data recording time information REC_TM(13), wherebythere is no inconsistency in the information between the data file (6)and the management information file (9). Also, after changing the timezone information TM_ZONE(12), if the value of TM_ZONE_ZUB(14) issubtracted from the data recording time information REC_TM(8) aftercorrecting for time difference, the local time at the time of recordingthe data can be reproduced.

This method has a feature that the time zone differential informationTM_ZONE_DIF(16) may remain zero until the time zone informationTM_ZONE(12) is changed.

FIG. 4 shows a variation of the data management information VOB_GI(11).In the same figure, the data management information VOB_GI(11) carriesthe data recording time information REC_TM(13) and the time zoneauxiliary information TM_ZONE_SUB(14) as described previously, as wellas a time zone auxiliary information flag TM_ZONE_SUB_FLAG(17). Thisflag functions to indicate whether or not the value stored in the dataarea is effective as the time zone auxiliary informationTM_ZONE_SUB(14), when the already reserved data area is used as an areafor storing the time zone auxiliary information TM_ZONE_SUB(14). Then,the value is defined as zero when the data area (e.g., two bytes) is ina reserved state. And the most significant bit of the data area isassigned to the time zone auxiliary information flagTM_ZONE_SUB_FLAG(17), and the remaining fifteen bits are assigned to thetime zone auxiliary information TM_ZONE_SUB(14). In this way, only ifthe time zone auxiliary information flag TM_ZONE_SUB_FLAG(17) is 1, thetime zone auxiliary information TM_ZONE_SUB(14) can be selectivelyemployed to correct for time difference.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a recorder accordingto the invention. The recorder (18) is one example of the device havinga function of recording newly the data and the management information onthe recording medium. First of all, the data file (6) is written ontothe recording medium (1) by data writing means (200). Along with this,the time zone information (12) at the time of recording is specified bytime zone information TM_ZONE specifying means (19), and the value isset in the total management information VMGI(10) by total managementinformation VMGI setting means (20), and written into the managementinformation file (9) of the recording medium (1). Also, after the datarecording time information REC_TM(13) is specified by data recordingtime information REC_TM specifying means (21), and the time zoneauxiliary information TM_ZONE_SUB(14) is specified by time zoneauxiliary information TM_ZONE_SUB specifying means (22), a value is setin the data management information VOB_GI(11) by data managementinformation VOB_GI setting means (23) and written into the managementinformation file (9) of the recording medium (1). Herein, the time zoneinformation TM_ZONE specifying means (19) may be implemented byproviding the recorder 18 with a switch or a menu screen for selectingone of plural pieces of time zone information (e.g., 2 bytes), forexample. The data recording time information REC_TM specifying means(21) can be implemented by generating the REC_TM value (e.g., 5 bytes),employing a timer (clock) progressing in a unit of second, for example.The time zone auxiliary information TM_ZONE_SUB specifying means (22)can be implemented by using the output from the time zone informationTM_ZONE specifying means (19) with the method of FIG. 2, or theoutputting zero with the method of FIG. 3. The configuration of means(200) (20) (23) for writing the information on the recording medium (1)will be described later.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of another recorder (24)according to the invention. It is supposed that the recorder (24)carries (caches) the management information already recorded, and isillustrative of the device having a function of changing the time zoneinformation in the management information on the basis of the method asshown in FIG. 3. A section for enabling the data writing means (200) towrite the data file (6) on the recording medium (1) has the sameconfiguration as shown in FIG. 5. Employing means (25) for specifyingthe new time zone information TM_ZONE_1 and the time zone informationTM_ZONE changing means (26), the old time zone information TM_ZONE_0carried in the total management information VMGI setting means (28) isread and changed to the new time zone information TM_ZONE_1, which isthen written into the management information file (9) of the recordingmedium (1). Along with this, a differential value DELTA_TM_ZONE (i.e.,TM_ZONE_1 - TM_ZONE_0) between the time zone information TM_ZONE beforeand after change is calculated by differential value calculating means(27), and entered into the data recording time information REC_TMchanging means (29-1 to 29-M) and the time zone auxiliary informationTM_ZONE_SUB changing means (30-1 to 30-M). Herein, an integer value Msignifies the number of data management information VOB_GI. In the datarecording time information REC_TM changing means (29-1 to 29-M), the olddata recording time information REC_TM_0 carried in the data managementinformation VOB_GI setting means (31-1 to 31-M) is read, and the olddata recording time information REC_TM_0 plus the differential valueDELTA_TM_ZONE is reset as the new data recording time informationREC_TM_1 in the data management information VOB_GI. Also, in the timezone auxiliary information TM_ZONE_SUB changing means (30-1 to 30-M),the old time zone auxiliary information TM_ZONE_SUB_0 is read, and theold time zone auxiliary information TM_ZONE_SUB_0 plus the differentialvalue DELTA_TM_ZONE is reset as the new time zone auxiliary informationTM_ZONE_SUB_1 in the data management information VOB_GI. Thereafter, thedata management information VOB_GI setting means (31) writes the datamanagement information VOB_GI(11-1 to 11-M) into the managementinformation file (9) of the recording medium (1). Herein, the new timezone information TM_ZONE_1 specifying means (25) may be implemented byproviding the recorder (24) with a switch or a menu screen for selectingone of plural pieces of time zone information (e.g., 2 bytes), forexample. The configuration of the means (200)(28)(31-1 to 31-M) forwriting the information into the recording medium (1) will be describedlater. Also, it is apparent that the calculation of the differentialvalue DELTA_TM_ZONE may be effective by defining TM_ZONE_0 -TM_ZONE_1,and exchanging addition and subtraction while reversing the signs in theexpression. The same applies in the other drawings.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of another recorder(201) according to the invention. It is supposed that the recorder (201)carries (caches) the management information already recorded, and isillustrative of the device having a function of changing the time zoneinformation in the management information on the basis of the method asshown in FIG. 2. A section for enabling the data writing means (200) towrite the data file (6) on the recording medium (1) has the sameconfiguration as shown in FIG. 5. Employing means (25) for specifyingthe new time zone information TM_ZONE_1 and the time zone informationTM_ZONE changing means (26), the old time zone information TM_ZONE_0carried in the total management information VMGI setting means (28) isread and changed to the new time zone information TM_ZONE_1, which isthen written into the management information file (9) of the recordingmedium (1). Along with this, a differential value DELTA_TM_ZONE (i.e.,TM_ZONE_1 - TM_ZONE_0) between the time zone information TM_ZONE beforeand after change is calculated by differential value calculating means(27), and entered into the data recording time information REC_TMchanging means (29-1 to 29-M). Herein, an integer value M signifies thenumber of data management information VOB_GI. In the data recording timeinformation REC_TM changing means (29-1 to 29-M), the old data recordingtime information REC_TM_0 carried in the data management informationVOB_GI setting means (31-1 to 31-M) is read, and the old data recordingtime information REC_TM_0 plus the differential value DELTA_TM_ZONE isreset as the new data recording time information REC_TM_1 in the datamanagement information VOB_GI. Thereafter, the data managementinformation VOB_GI setting means (31) writes the data managementinformation VOB_GI(11-1 to 11-M) into the management information file(9) of the recording medium (1). Herein, the new time zone informationTM_ZONE_1 specifying means (25) may be implemented by providing therecorder (24) with a switch or a menu screen for selecting one of pluralpieces of time zone information (e.g., 2 bytes), for example. Theconfiguration of the means (200)(28)(31-1 to 31-M) for writing theinformation into the recording medium (1) will be described later.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of another recorder (32)according to the invention. The recorder (32) is illustrative of thedevice having a function of specifying the data recording timeinformation REC_TM(13) when recording the data in an area with a timedifference from the time zone without changing the time zone informationTM_ZONE(12) stored in the management information already recorded. Asection for enabling the data writing means (200) to write the data file(6) on the recording medium (1) has the same configuration as shown inFIG. 5. Along with this, there are provided means (33) for specifyingthe time zone information CUR_TM_ZONE in recording the data (hereinafterreferred to as at current time), means (34) for reading the time zoneinformation TM_ZONE from the total management information VMGI(10) ofthe management information file (9) recorded on the recording medium(1), and means (35) for specifying the current time CUR_TM. Based on aresult of output, the data recording time information REC_TM(13) isspecified by the data recording time information REC TM specifying means(36), and set to the data management information VOB_GI(11) by datamanagement information VOB_GI setting means (37) and written into themanagement information file (9) of the recording medium (1). Herein, thecurrent time zone information CUR_TM_ZONE specifying means (33) may beimplemented by providing the recorder (32) with a switch or a menuscreen for selecting one of plural pieces of time zone information(e.g., 2 bytes), for example. The current time CUR_TM specifying means(35) can be implemented by generating the CUR_TM value (e.g., 5 bytes),employing a timer (clock) progressing in a unit of second, for example.The data recording time information REC_TM specifying means (36) makesan arithmetic operation of (REC_TM value=CUR_TM value+TM_ZONEvalue−CUR_TM_ZONE value), and can be implemented by typicaladdition/subtraction means. The configuration of means (200)(37) forwriting the information into the recording medium (1) or means (34) forreading the information from the recording medium (1) will be describedlater.

The operation of the recorder (32) as shown in FIG. 8 will be describedbelow by way of example. For example, in a situation where the time zoneinformation TM_ZONE(12) in the recording medium (1) indicates theJapanese standard time (universal time+nine hours), it is supposed thatthe user is moved to Taiwan with a time difference of one hour withrespect to Japan. Then, the current time zone information CUR_TM_ZONE isset to Taiwan standard time (universal time+eight hours). If the data isrecorded at three in the afternoon (i.e., the current time CUR_TM=15),the data recording time information REC_TM is calculated as REC_TMvalue=CUR_TM value+TM_ZONE value−CUR_TM_ZONE value=15+9-8=16 inaccordance with the previous expression, and recorded on the recordingmedium (1). Thereby, even if the user records the data at the localcurrent time, the data recording time information REC_TM(13) consistentwith the time zone information TM_ZONE(12) can be written on therecording medium (1).

FIG. 9 illustrates one example of the operation of a selection menuscreen (38) in a reproducing device according to the invention. Theselection menu screen (38) indicates a menu screen displayed on adisplay terminal dedicated to the reproducing device, or a monitor forthe television or personal computer (hereinafter referred to as the PC).A selection cursor (43) is moved in accordance with the user's entry toselect a title to be reproduced from among a plurality of titles (39),so that a reproduction instruction can be issued to the reproducingdevice. Herein, the display of a title can be made using a typicalmethod of recording the text information representing the title in thedata management information VOB_GI(11), and reading and displaying it.Therefore, the illustration and explanation are omitted. The features ofthe invention will be described below.

In FIG. 9, the title (39) and the data recording time are displayed onthe selection menu screen (38), wherein it is desirable that the displayof data content is more imaginable to the user. Then, the data recordingtime is preferably the local time (40) when the user records the data,and naturally contains a time difference depending on the area forphotographing. If the information as shown in FIG. 2 or 3 is set as thetime zone auxiliary information TM_ZONE_SUB(14), employing themanagement information file (9) as shown in FIG. 1, the data recordingtime (40) in the actual location can be reproduced, as previouslydescribed. A change button (41) is displayed on the screen or equippedin the reproducing device, as required, to switch the data recordingtime information (13) recorded on the recording medium (1) and the localtime (40) to be displayed. A photographing place (42) can be easilydisplayed by specifying it on the basis of a difference (i.e.,differential time) between the data recording time information (13) andthe local time (40), if a table of correspondence between thedifferential time and the place is prepared in a solid-state memory.Also, a representative city name (44) which is a basis of thedifferential time may be displayed by specifying it from the time zoneinformation TM_ZONE(12) recorded on the recording medium (1).

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a reproducing device(45) according to the invention. The reproducing device (45) has afunction of specifying and displaying the local time (40) as shown inFIG. 9, using the management information based on the method as shown inFIG. 2. First of all, the time zone information TM_ZONE(12) is read fromthe total management information VMGI(10) in the management informationfile (9) recorded on the recording medium (1) by the time zoneinformation TM_ZONE reading means (48), and input into the correctiondata recording time information MOD_REC_TM specifying means (51-1 to51-M). On the other hand, the data recording time informationREC_TM(13-1 to 13-M) is read from the data management informationVOB_GI(11-1 to 11-M) in the management information file (9) recorded onthe recording medium (1) by the data recording time information REC_TMreading means (49-1 to 49-M), and the time zone auxiliary informationTM_ZONE_SUB(14-1 to 14-M) is read by the time zone auxiliary informationTM_ZONE_SUB reading means (50-1 to 50-M), and input into the correctiondata recording time information MOD_REC_TM specifying means (51-1 to51-M). In the correction data recording time information MOD_REC_TMspecifying means (51-1 to 51-M), an arithmetic operation of (MOD_REC_TMvalue=REC_TM value+TM_ZONE_SUB value−TM_ZONE value) is made to obtainthe correction data recording time information MOD_REC_TM. In thedisplay means (52), the correction data recording time informationMOD_REC_TM is displayed as the local time (40), and the selection cursor(43) is displayed and the selected result is acquired in the selectingmeans (53). Based on its selected result, the data file (6) isselectively read from the recording medium (1) by the data reading means(46), and reproduced and output as the image or voice by the reproducingmeans (47). The configuration of reading means (46)(48)(49-1 to 49-M)(50-1 to 50-M) of the information from the recording medium (1) and thereproducing means (47) will be described later.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a reproducing device(202) according to the invention. The reproducing device (202) has afunction of specifying and displaying the local time (40) as shown inFIG. 9, using the management information based on the method as shown inFIG. 3. First of all, the data recording time information REC_TM(13-1 to13-M) is read from the data management information VOB_GI(11-1 to 11-M)in the management information file (9) recorded on the recording medium(1) by the data recording time information REC_TM reading means (49-1 to49-M), and the time zone auxiliary information TM_ZONE_SUB(14-1 to 14-M)is read by the time zone auxiliary information TM_ZONE_SUB reading means(50-1 to 50-M), and input into the correction data recording timeinformation MOD_REC_TM specifying means (51-1 to 51-M). In thecorrection data recording time information MOD_REC_TM specifying means(51-1 to 51-M), an arithmetic operation of (MOD_REC_TM value−REC_TMvalue+TM_ZONE_SUB value) is made to obtain the correction data recordingtime information MOD_REC_TM. In the display means (52), the correctiondata recording time information MOD_REC_TM is displayed as the localtime (40), and the selection cursor (43) is displayed and the selectedresult is acquired in the selecting means (53). Based on its selectedresult, the data file (6) is selectively read from the recording medium(1) by the data reading means (46), and reproduced and output as theimage or voice by the reproducing means (47). The configuration ofreading means (46)(48)(49-1 to 49-M) (50-1 to 50-M) of the informationfrom the recording medium (1) and the reproducing means (47) will bedescribed later.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a reproducing device(54) according to the invention. The reproducing device (54) has afunction of displaying the data recording information REC_TM(13)recorded on the recording medium (1) by modifying the differential timeusing the current time zone information CUR_TM_ZONE set within thedevice. First of all, the current time zone information CUR_TM_ZONE isspecified by the current time zone information CUR_TM_ZONE specifyingmeans (55), and input into the correction data recording timeinformation MOD_REC_TM specifying means (51-1 to 51-M), as will bedescribed later. Herein, the current time zone information CUR_TM_ZONEspecifying means (55) may be implemented by providing the reproducingdevice (54) with a switch or a menu screen for selecting one of pluralpieces of time zone information (e.g., 2 bytes), for example. On theother hand, the time zone information TM_ZONE(12) is read from the totalmanagement information VMGI(10) in the management information file (9)recorded on the recording medium (1) by the time zone informationTM_ZONE reading means (56), and input into the correction data recordingtime information MOD_REC_TM specifying means (57-1 to 57-M), as will bedescribed later. Also, the data recording time information REC_TM(13-1to 13-M) is read from the data management information VOB_GI(11-1 to11-M) in the management information file (9) recorded on the recordingmedium (1) by the data recording time information REC_TM reading means(49-1 to 49-M), and input into the correction data recording timeinformation MOD_REC_TM specifying means (57-1 to 57-M). In thecorrection data recording time information MOD_REC_TM specifying means(57-1 to 57-M), an arithmetic operation of (MOD_REC_TM value=REC_TMvalue+CUR_TM_ZONE_SUB value - TM_ZONE value) is made to obtain thecorrection data recording time information MOD_REC_TM. In the displaymeans (52), the correction data recording time information MOD_REC_TM isdisplayed as the local time (40), and the selection cursor (43) isdisplayed and the selected result is acquired in the selecting means(53). Based on its selected result, the data file (6) is selectivelyread from the recording medium (1) by the data reading means (46), andreproduced and output as the image or voice by the reproducing means(47). The configuration of reading means (46)(56)(49-1 to 49-M) of theinformation from the recording medium (1) and the reproducing means (47)will be described later.

FIGS. 13 and 14 are a block diagram and a perspective view showing anembodiment of a recorder/reproducing device according to the invention,respectively. The recorder/reproducing device may be configured to be aspecial-purpose hardware, or control a general-purpose hardware for thepersonal computer in accordance with a control procedure (hereinafterreferred to as a program) as will be described later. In any case, acontrol section (58) operates on the basis of a memory (66) storing theprogram. The memory (66) storing the program may use the same recordingmedium as a memory (67) storing the management information as will bedescribed later, or they may be differently configured such that thememory (66) may be a recording medium which is unsuitable for frequentlyrewriting the data such as a read only memory (ROM) or a flash memory,and the memory (67) may be a recording medium which is suitable forfrequently rewriting the data such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random AccessMemory) or an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory). The content (program)of the memory (66) storing the program may be preinstalled by the devicemanufacturer before shipment of the device, or read from anotherrecording medium (computer readable recording medium) storing theprogram before operation of the device, as shown in FIG. 14.

The recorder/reproducing device as shown in FIG. 13 first accepts anoperation instruction from the user on an operation section (59), andthe control section (58) controls the operation of each section as willbe described later. At the time of recording, a signal of image or voiceis input from an input section (60), and encoded in accordance with theMPEG by an encoder (59). The encoded data such as the dynamic image,still picture or voice is input via a track buffer (62) into a drive(63), and recorded on the recording medium (1). Then, the managementinformation as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 is also recorded under the controlof the control section (58). The management information is difficult torecord at the same time while the encoded data is recorded in real time.Hence, the management information may be once recorded in the memory(67) storing the management information, and recorded on the recordingmedium (1) after the end of recording the encoded data.

At the time of reproduction, after the management information is onceread from the recording medium (1) into the memory (67) by the drive(63), the encoded data is read on the basis of its information and inputinto the track buffer (62). The encoded data from the track buffer (62)is decoded by a decoder (64), and output from an output section (65).Each section as shown in the same figure can be easily realized by thewell-known technique. The detailed illustration and explanation ofoperation are omitted.

FIG. 14 illustrates one example in which the recorder/reproducing deviceis constituted using a computer. In FIG. 14, the recorder/reproducingdevice comprises a computer main unit (70), a monitor (68) fordisplaying the image, a speaker (69) for outputting the voice, a mouse(71) and a keyboard (72) for inputting an operation instruction from theuser, and a drive (73) for recording or reproducing the data onto orfrom the recording medium (1). The recording medium (1) stores a programfor controlling the computer (70), and a reading operation (install) ofreading the program into the memory (66) within the computer via thedrive (73) may be performed, before operating the recorder/ reproducingdevice. The computer readable recording medium (1) may be a rewritablerecording medium such as DVD-RAM, MO, or a floppy disk to record theprogram on the same medium as the data such as the image or voice, ormay be a reproduction dedicated disk such as CD-ROM or DVD-ROM.

The recorder, the reproducing device, and the selection menu screen aspreviously described and shown in FIGS. 5 to 12 may be replaced inconfiguration with the recorder/reproducing device as shown in FIGS. 13and 14. Also, the writing means (200)(20)(23)(28)(31-1 to 31-M)(37) forwriting the information into the recording medium (1) or the readingmeans (34)(46)(48) (49-1 to 49-M) (50-1 to 50-M)(56) for reading theinformation from the recording medium (1) correspond to the drive(63)(73) as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, and the reproducing means (47)corresponds to the decoder (64) as shown in FIG. 13.

The recording method and the reproducing method of the invention will bedescribed below in connection with the operation (i.e., the content ofprogram) of the control section (58) as shown in FIG. 13. The name andstructure of the management information are the same as those shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 15 shows a method for embodying the operation of the recorder asshown in FIG. 5 with a program as one example of the recording methodfor use with the invention. In FIG. 15, the recording operation isstarted at step (74). Then the data such as the image or voice isrecorded on the recording medium at step (75), as previously describedand shown in FIG. 13. Subsequently, the time zone information TM_ZONE(12) is specified at step (76). Then, the time zone information TM_ZONE(12) is set in the total management information VMGI(10) at step (77).The total management information VMGI(10) is recorded on the recordingmedium (1) at step (78). On the other hand, the data recording timeinformation REC_TM(13) is specified at step (79), and set in the datamanagement information VOB_GI(11) at step (80). Also, the time zoneauxiliary information TM_ZONE_SUB(14) is specified at step (81), and isset in the data management information VOB_GI(11) at step (82). Lastly,the data management information VOB_GI(11) is recorded on the recordingmedium (1) at step (83). Then the recording is ended at step (84).Herein, the time zone information TM_ZONE (12) at step (76) can bespecified by selecting one of plural pieces of time zone information(e.g., two-byte value) and storing it in the memory, for example. Thedata recording time information REC_TM(13) at step (79) can be specifiedby generating the REC_TM value (e.g., five-byte value) with a timer(clock) which can progress in a unit of second, for example. The timezone auxiliary information TM_ZONE_SUB(14) at step (81) can be specifiedby outputting the value of the time zone information TM_ZONE(12)directly with the method as shown in FIG. 2, or outputting zero with themethod as shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 16 shows a method for embodying the operation of the recorder asshown in FIG. 6 with a program as one example of the recording methodfor use with the invention. In FIG. 15, the recording operation isstarted at step (85). Then the data such as the image or voice isrecorded on the recording medium at step (86), as previously describedand shown in FIG. 13. Subsequently, the new time zone informationTM_ZONE_1 is specified at step (87). Then, the value (TM_ZONE_0) of thetime zone information TM_ZONE (12) already set in the total managementinformation VMGI(10) is changed to the new value (TM_ZONE_1) which isthen reset in the total management information VMGI(10) at step (88).Along with this, the differential value DELTA_TM_ZONE (i.e., TM_ZONE_1 -TM_ZONE_0) between the time zone information TM_ZONE before and afterchange is calculated at step (89). A variable i is prepared, andinitialized to 1 at step (90). Then, the loop process is entered. Atstep (91), the value REC_TM_1 which is the value REC_TM_0 of the datarecording time information REC_TM(13) already set in the i-th datamanagement information VOB_GI(11) plus the differential valueDELTA_TM_ZONE is calculated, and reset in the data managementinformation VOB_GI(11). At step (92), the value TM_ZONE_SUB_1 which isthe value TM_ZONE_SUB_0 of the time zone auxiliary informationTM_ZONE_SUB(14-i) already set in the i-th data management informationVOB_GI(11-i) plus the differential value DELTA_TM_ZONE is calculated,and reset in the data management information VOB_GI(11-i). At step (93),it is determined whether or not all the data management informationVOB_GI(11-i) is processed. If all processed, the operation proceeds tostep (95), or otherwise, the value of the variable i is incremented by 1at step (94), and the operation transfers to step (91). Lastly, the datamanagement information VOB_GI(11) is recorded on the recording medium(1) at step (95). The recording is ended at step (96). Herein, the newtime zone information TM_ZONE_1 at step (87) can be specified byselecting one of plural pieces of time zone information (e.g., two-bytevalue) and storing it in the memory, for example.

FIG. 17 shows a method for embodying the operation of the recorder asshown in FIG. 7 with a program as one example of the recording methodfor use with the invention. In FIG. 17, the recording operation isstarted at step (85). Then the data such as the image or voice isrecorded on the recording medium at step (86), as previously describedand shown in FIG. 13. Subsequently, the new time zone informationTM_ZONE_1 is specified at step (87). Then, the value (TM_ZONE_0) of thetime zone information TM_ZONE (12) already set in the total managementinformation VMGI(10) is changed to the new value (TM_ZONE_1) which isthen reset in the total management information VMGI(10) at step (88).Along with this, the differential value DELTA_TM_ZONE (i.e., TM_ZONE_1 -TM_ZONE_0) between the time zone information TM_ZONE before and afterchange is calculated at step (89). A variable i is prepared, andinitialized to 1 at step (90). Then, the loop process is entered. Atstep (91), the value REC_TM_1 which is the value REC_TM_0 of the datarecording time information REC_TM(13-i) already set in the i-th datamanagement information VOB_GI(11-i) plus the differential valueDELTA_TM_ZONE is calculated, and reset in the data managementinformation VOB_GI(11-i). At step (93), it is determined whether or notall the data management information VOB_GI(11-i) is processed. If allprocessed, the operation proceeds to step (95), or otherwise, the valueof the variable i is incremented by 1 at step (94), and operationtransfers to step (91). Lastly, the data management informationVOB_GI(11) is recorded on the recording medium (1) at step (95). Therecording is ended at step (96). Herein, the new time zone informationTM_ZONE_1 at step (87) can be specified by selecting one of pluralpieces of time zone information (e.g., two-byte value) and storing it inthe memory, for example.

FIG. 18 shows a method for embodying the operation of the recorder asshown in FIG. 8 with a program as one example of the recording methodfor use with the invention. In FIG. 18, the recording operation isstarted at step (97). Then the data such as the image or voice isrecorded on the recording medium at step (98), as previously describedand shown in FIG. 13. Subsequently, the current time zone informationCUR_TM_ZONE is specified at step (99). Then, the time zone informationTM_ZONE (12) is read from the total management information VMGI(1 0)recorded on the recording medium (1) at step (100). At step (101), thecurrent time CUR_TM is specified. At step (102), the data recording timeinformation REC_TM(13) is specified from the current time CUR_TM, thecurrent time zone information CUR_TM_ZONE, and the time zone informationTM_ZONE(12). At step (103), the data recording time informationREC_TM(13) is set in the data management information VOB_GI(11). At step(104), the data management information VOB_GI(11) is recorded on therecording medium (1). The recording operation is ended at step (105).Herein, at step (99), the current time zone information CUR_TM_ZONE canbe specified by selecting one of plural pieces of time zone information(e.g., two-byte value) and storing it in the memory, for example. Atstep (101), the current time information REC_TM can be specified bygenerating the CUR_TM value (e.g., five-byte value) with a timer (clock)which can progress in a unit of second, for example. At step (102), thedata recording time information REC_TM(13) can be specified by making anarithmetic operation of (REC_TM value=CUR_TM value+TM_ZONEvalue−CUR_TM_ZONE value).

FIG. 19 shows a method for embodying the operation of the reproducingdevice as shown in FIG. 10 with a program as one example of thereproducing method for use with the invention. In FIG. 19, thereproducing operation is started at step (106). Then, the time zoneinformation TM_ZONE(12) is read from the total management informationVMGI(10) recorded on the recording medium (1) at step (107). A variablei is prepared, and initialized to 1 at step (108). Then, the loopprocess is entered. At step (109), the data recording time informationREC_TM(13-i) is read from the i-th data management informationVOB_GI(11-i) recorded on the recording medium (1). At step (110), thetime zone auxiliary information TM_ZONE_SUB(14-i) is read from the i-thdata management information VOB_GI(11-i) recorded on the recordingmedium (1). Subsequently, at step (111), an arithmetic operation of(MOD_REC_TM value=REC_TM value+TM_ZONE_SUB value−TM_ZONE value) isperformed, using the time zone information TM_ZONE(12), the datarecording time information REC_TM(13-i) and the time zone auxiliaryinformation TM_ZONE=SUB(14-i) to specify the correction data recordingtime information MOD_REC_TM and display it in a format as shown in FIG.9. At step (112), it is determined whether or not all the datamanagement information VOB_GI(11) are processed. If all processed, theoperation proceeds to step (114), or otherwise, the value of thevariable i is incremented by 1 at step (113), and the operationtransfers to step (109). At step (114), the data recorded on therecording medium (1) is selected using the displayed result. At step(115), the data recorded on the recording medium (1) is read andreproduced using the selected result. The reproducing operation is endedat step (116).

FIG. 20 shows a method for embodying the operation of the reproducingdevice as shown in FIG. 11 with a program as one example of thereproducing method for use with the invention. In FIG. 20, thereproducing operation is started at step (106). Then, a variable i isprepared, and initialized to 1 at step (108). Then, the loop process isentered. At step (109), the data recording time information REC_TM(13-i)is read from the i-th data management information VOB_GI(11-i) recordedon the recording medium (1). At step (110), the time zone auxiliaryinformation TM_ZONE_SUB(14-i) is read from the i-th data managementinformation VOB_GI(11-i) recorded on the recording medium (1).Subsequently, at step (111), an arithmetic operation of (MOD_REC_TMvalue=REC_TM value+TM_ZONE_SUB value) is performed, using the datarecording time information REC_TM(13-i) and the time zone auxiliaryinformation TM_ZONE=SUB(14-i) to specify the correction data recordingtime information MOD_REC_TM and display it in a format as shown in Fig.9. At step (112), it is determined whether or not all the datamanagement information VOB_GI(11) are processed. If all processed, theoperation proceeds to step (114), or otherwise, the value of thevariable i is incremented by 1 at step (113), and the operationtransfers to step (109). At step (114), the data recorded on therecording medium (1) is selected using the displayed result. At step(115), the data recorded on the recording medium (1) is read andreproduced using the selected result. The reproducing operation is endedat step (116)

FIG. 21 shows a method for embodying the operation of the reproducingdevice as shown in FIG. 12 with a program as one example of thereproducing method for use with the invention. In FIG. 21, thereproducing operation is started at step (117). Then, the current timezone information CUR_TM_ZONE is specified at step (118). Then, the timezone information TM_ZONE(12) is read from the total managementinformation VMGI(10) recorded on the recording medium (1) at step (119).A variable i is prepared, and initialized to 1 at step (120). Then, theloop process is entered. At step (121), the data recording timeinformation REC_TM(13-i) is read from the i-th data managementinformation VOB_GI(11-i) recorded on the recording medium (1).Subsequently, at step (122), an arithmetic operation of (MOD_REC_TMvalue=REC_TM value+CUR_TM_ZONE value - TM_ZONE value) is performed,using the current time zone information CUR_TM_ZONE, the time zoneinformation TM_ZONE(12), and the data recording time informationREC_TM(13-i) to specify the correction data recording time informationMOD_REC_TM and display it in a format as shown in FIG. 9. At step (123),it is determined whether or not all the data management informationVOB_GI(11) are processed. If all processed, the operation proceeds tostep (125), or otherwise, the value of the variable i is incremented by1 at step (124), and the operation transfers to step (121). At step(125), the data recorded on the recording medium (1) is selected usingthe displayed result. At step (126), the data recorded on the recordingmedium (1) is read and reproduced using the selected result. Thereproducing operation is ended at step (127).

1. A reproduction apparatus for reproducing an optical recording mediumrecorded N (N is an integer) pieces of data, data management informationfor managing each of the data, and total management information formanaging the N (N is an integer) pieces of data, wherein the totalmanagement information includes time zone information (TM_ZONE)indicating a time difference between a world standard time (GreenwichMean Time) and a standard time in a predetermined location, wherein thedata management information includes recording time zone information(REC_TM_ZONE) at a time of recoding the data, indicating a timedifference between the world standard time (Greenwich Mean Time) and astandard time in a location where the data has been recorded; and datarecording time information (REC_TM) indicating a recording time when thedata has been recorded, in accordance with the standard time indicatedby the time zone information (TM_ZONE), and wherein the reproductionapparatus further includes means for specifying a local time in alocation where the data recording time has been recorded, while the datais reproduced, in accordance with the data recording time information(REC_TM), the time zone information (TM_ZONE), and the recording timezone information (REC_TM_ZONE) at the data recording time.